Bowling slide rule



Feb. 21, 1950 M. HERTIG BOWLING SLIDE RULE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 7, 1948 9 T Q N M bw A AN \iwq $2 3 A 5 EWQQ Am @@.W e T l J h II & l%A/// 6'. .4PJ \QI ll/MJVIQCIITILI w I 2:12;: 11 ///l/// W211 -N mm l/ 0 w 9 x @MK IQ 3 o w n M. R 9 w fififi fig fiqgvfifi 2 .E\w w? e m d f fl Q w w /7 fl\ w O fi wam m\ m m. N w fr wr U WW 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 M. HERTIG BOWLING SLIDE RULE M Q 1 w fl @E i Feia. 21, 1950 Filed Sept. '7, 1948 Patented Feb. 21, 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 8 Claims.

This invention relates'to a computing device for the rapid computation of data which will enable bowlers consistently to bowl high scores.

Bowling alleys are constructed of hard wood according to specifications defined by official regulations. The alleys are 63 feet long and not less than 41 nor more than 42 inches in width.

At the front end of each alley there is provided a space not less than 15 feet long called the approach and is separated from the alley by a foul line. At the far end of the alley the pins are arranged in a triangular array. From center to center the pins are placed 12 inches apart. The bowling balls are not greater than2'7 inches in circumference.

The object of the game is to knock down the pins by rolling the bowling ball along the alley. Each player is allowed two bowls to accomplish this. If all of the pins are knocked down on the first ball it is considered a strike and the bowler is credited with the ten pins plus the number of pins he knocks down with his next two balls. If, however, on his first try, he leaves some pins standing, he must use his second ball, and if he succeeds in knocking down the remaining pins he is credited with a spare and his score is pins plus what he makes on his next ball.

The majority of .the expert bowlers are spot bowlers. A spot bowler will pick a spot from 12 to 24 feet down the alley and concentrate his aim only on this spot over which his ball must pass. He will not look at the pins until he has released the ball. This spot and the bowlers position at the time of delivery of the ball vary depending on which pin or group of pins he wishes to knock down.

The principal object of the computer of this invention is to locate the spot over which the bowling ball must pass and the position the bowler must start his approach from in order to knock down any given pin or group of pins remaining after the first ball has been delivered.

Another object of the invention is to provide a computer that is simply and speedily operated and will give directly both spot positions and starting positions at the same time.

A further object of the invention is to provide a computer that can be readily adapted to compute spot and starting positions on duck pin alleys.

These and other objects and advantages are attained by the computer of the invention which includes a base member marked with indicia representing preselected points corresponding to a plurality of directional lines of travel of a bowling ball, for example, starting positions on a preselected starting line or strike points on a preselected strike line or both, a slide member movable relative to the base member marked with indicia indicating relative pin positions, and a cursor slidably mounted on the base member indexed to indicate corresponding pin positions on the slide member and points, for example, starting positions or strike points or both, on the base member.

The invention will be more particularly described with reference to the illustrative embodiment of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of a computer embodying the principles of this invention.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the computer.

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic plan view of a bowling alley.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view showing the computer set to indicate the corrected strike spot and starting point for a center delivery bowler using the 12 foot starting line to enable him to hit the number 10 pin.

In the bowling computer illustrated in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, II is the base member which may be constructed of any suitable material such as wood or plastic, I2 is a slide of similar material movable relative to the base II and adapted to slide in grooves I3 and I4, and I5 is a transparent cursor slidably mounted on the base H in a manner well known in the art.

In Fig. 3 of the drawing l6 represents a regulation bowling alley with approach space H, foul line It and bowling pin positions 19. Dotted lines 20, 2! and 22 represent the 12, 14 and 16 foot starting lines while 23, 24, 25, 26, 21, 28 and 29, represent the 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 foot spot lines as measured from the foul line l8.

Base member ll carries three sets of index lines in sections A, B, and C, of the base member. The index lines in section A are based on the 12 foot starting line 20, in section B on the 14 foot starting line 2|, and in section C on the 16 foot starting line 22. In each set, lines a, b, c, cl, e, f, and 9 represent the 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 24 foot spot lines 23, 24, 25, 26, 21, 28, and 29, and are marked to indicate inches of lateral adjustment along the respective spot lines. Lines a b 0 d e 1 and g are marked to indicate inches of lateral movement along the starting line for bowlers using the 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22 and 24 foot spot lines 23, 24, 25, 25, 21, 28 and 29, respectively. Sections A, B, and C are divided by center lines 3i 3 which provide reference indexes or standard spots when setting slide l2.

Slide member I2 carries three sets of indicia D,

E and F, each set representing relative projected pin sizes and positions as seen by a bowler using right side, center, or left side delivery, respectively. The individual pins are numbered on the drawings in accordance with the standard convention.

Cursor i 5 is marked with an index G indicating the center line h and extremities 2' and i of a bowling ball 30 relative in size to the sets of pin projections D, E, and F.

The amounts of the shifts in spot positionor starting position necessary to hit a selected point in the pin array may be calculated from the pro portions between the alley dimensions andth'e amount of deviation of the ball from the head or number 1 pin. The desired ball deviations v are conveniently measured on projections of the pinpositio'ns upon aline 32 (Fig. :3) passing through the front point of the head pin transversely of the alley. The shift in spot position s'r'equir'ed for any desired ball deviation is then given by the equation whereinl is the distance from the starting line to the spot line and m is the distance from the starting lineto line, 32; The shift in starting pgsitiona] requ ired for ,any desired ball deviation 1; is given by equation wherein l isthe d stance from the starting line to the, spot line'and n is the distance from the spot'line'to1ine32; v

I hines a y and a? 9 are marked'i'n scaled unit's representing? actualdistances s and j on the spot lines and' starting lines; respectively. he scales may be marked'by setting the slide of the computer with the center line 3i of the base member at the fstrikef position, that is, atthepoint the bowler would wish to hit if all the pins were standing and he desiredto make a strilidfia'nd tlien'by setting the center line it of the" cii'rsdr l5 at successive seieetd points in the pin array and marking the scales (1 g and a g with values for distances s and a, calculated for corresponding values of the ball deviations v as indicated above. The'scal'es may also be marked off by means of suitable templates laid out geometrically on the same prinline sl de iZi moved tofi le un t e 9 sentative pins, of section E, for center delivery, are 'a lig ned with section A of base member H representing the 12 foot starting 1in'e ,i n such position that the center line 3 l of se tion A indicates the strikeflp'osition as defined above. next the cursor l5 p'ositi'o' 'iedvso that the center line, 71. or representative ball at is directed ste n be .1 w i the si fed efi fib e From th projection of centerline it upon line (i of section A the bowler reads 5 inches, indicating that in order to hit the number pin retaining his original starting position he must laterally shift the spot point the ball must pass over in order to hit pin 10, 5 inches to the right along spot line 26, or from the projection of center line h upon line d the bowler reads 9 inches left indicating that if he retains his original spot pointhe must laterally shift liis star ting position" 9 inches to" the left along starting line 20.

From the foregoing description it will be seen that the present invention provides a computing device for bowlers that will quickly and accurately locate the spot over which the bowling ball must pass or the position the bowler must start his approachjin order to knock down any given pin or combination of pins enabling the bowlerc'onsistently to roll high scores.

Itwill also be evident that the base member, the slidean'dthe cursor df the computing device comprisethree'relatively movable members arid that the in'di'cia' thereon may be interchanged without departing from the invention. Moreover, it will b'apparent that'the invention may be" embodied in computing devices of different but equivalent physical form, as for example, in a; circular or cylindrical bowling slide'rule equivalent to the linear deviceshownby way of illustration.

I claim: 7

1; A computing device for bowlers comprising 2i base member marked with indi cia representing preselected points corresponding-tea plurality of directional lines of travel of a bowling ball; a'slid'e member. movable relativeto the base member marked with indioia indicating relative pin positions, and a cursor slidably mounted on the base member indexed to; indicate corresponding pin positions on'the slide member and points on the base member.

2.A' computing device for bowlers comprising a base member marked with a direct reading scale'reprs'enting starting positions on a preselctedstarting line; a'slide member movable relative' to' said basemarked' with indicia indicating relative pin positions; and a cursor slidabl-y mounted on said base member indexed to indicate corresponding pin positions on the slide member and starting positions bn'thebase memher.

3'. A computing device for bowlers comprising a base member marked with a direct reading scale representing spot points on a preselected spot line, a" slide member movable relative to said base marked with indicia indicating relative pin p'ositibri's', and cursor 'slidably mounted on said base member ndexed to indicate ctrron a preselected wer to a ba e mar edw n ia n e ih'sr' i positions and sor slida bly' iii-ounte'd' 6h said has? new. I m,.s?- d.,i ndic cofrsidficiirfs pin' positionsontheslide member afid' spot pbints and starti g positions on the base member;

5, ,4 computing stage for ttwierseotiphsm 'base marked with three groups of indicia indicating relative pin size and positions as viewed from the right, the center an dthe left of the alley at the starting line and a cursor slidably mounted on said base member indexed to indicate corresponding pin positions on the slide member and spot points and starting positions on the base member.

6. A computing device for bowlers comprising a base member marked with direct reading scales representing starting positions on a preselected starting line and spot points on a preselected spot line, a slide member movable relative to said base marked with indicia indicating relative pin size and positions and a cursor slidably mounted on said base member indexed with transverse indicia indicating the center line and extremities of a bowling ball relative to the pin size and positions marked on said slide member to indicate corresponding pin positions on the slide member and spot points and starting positions on the base member.

'7. A computing device for bowlers comprising a base member marked with a plurality of direct reading scales representing starting positions on a plurality of preselected starting lines and spot points on a plurality of preselected spot lines, a slide member movable relative to said base member marked with three groups of indicia indicating relative pin size and positions as viewed from the right, the center and the left of the alley at the starting line, a cursor slidably mounted on said base member indexed with transverse indicia indicating the center line and extremities of a bowling ball relative to the pin size and positions marked on said slide member to indicate corresponding pin positions on the slide member and spot points and starting positions on the base member.

8. A computing device for bowlers comprising a base member marked with direct reading scales representing spot points on a preselected spot line, a slide member movable relative to said base marked with indicia indicating relative pin size and positions and a cursor slidably mounted on said base member indexed with transverse indicia indicating the center line and extremities of a bowling ball relative to the pin size and positions marked on said slide member to indicate corresponding pin positions on the slide member and spot points on the base members.

MARSHALL HERTIG.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 582,634 Frew May 18, 1897 2,067,068 Taylor Jan. 5, 1937 

